The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Sep. 17, 2013
Filed:
Feb. 01, 2005
Robert E. Richard, Wrentham, MA (US);
Frederick H. Strickler, Natick, MA (US);
Marlene C. Schwarz, Auburndale, MA (US);
Rudolf Faust, Lexington, MA (US);
Shrirang V. Ranade, Arlington, MA (US);
Michael N. Helmus, Worcester, MA (US);
Robert E. Richard, Wrentham, MA (US);
Frederick H. Strickler, Natick, MA (US);
Marlene C. Schwarz, Auburndale, MA (US);
Rudolf Faust, Lexington, MA (US);
Shrirang V. Ranade, Arlington, MA (US);
Michael N. Helmus, Worcester, MA (US);
Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc., Maple Grove, MN (US);
Abstract
The present invention relates to phase separated polymeric regions and to their use in conjunction with implantable or insertable medical devices. In some aspects of the invention, phase separated polymeric regions are provided that include (a) at least one biostable polymeric phase and (b) at least one biodisintegrable polymeric phase, which is of nanoscale dimensions and which undergoes biodisintegration such that the phase separated polymeric region becomes a nanoporous polymeric region in vivo. Other aspects of the invention are directed to methods of making implantable or insertable medical devices having at least one nanoporous polymeric region. These methods include (a) providing a phase separated polymeric region comprising a stable polymeric phase and a disintegrable polymeric phase of nanoscale dimensions, (b) selectively removing the disintegrable polymeric phase thereby producing the nanoporous polymeric region. In still other aspects, implantable or insertable medical devices are provided which have phase separated polymeric regions that include (a) at least one block copolymer having at least one biostable polymer block and at least one biodisintegrable polymer block and (b) at least one therapeutic agent which is released in vivo upon implantation or insertion of the medical device.